Latest News

METANOMIC LAUNCHES ‘THUNDERSTRUCK’ – 1st gamer analysis tool powered by AI

Published

3 years ago

September 6, 2022

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Metanomic, the complete game economy and player analytics company, today proudly announces the global launch of its Thunderstruck player analytics platform; which is poised to revolutionise game developers’ use of behavioural data to improve retention and monetisation.

Thunderstruck is the first ever video game analytics platform to leverage AI-powered behavioural analytics. It makes use of Bayesian inference-backed AI to understand data from real in-game events, drawn directly from game servers. Thunderstruck analyses player motivations, play styles, and reward preferences, providing developers with live information on who their game is for, what types of players have the highest retention, and which players spend the most in-game. Until now, game creators have had to rely on outdated player classification models combined with market research, and plug gaps in insight with assumptions and guesswork.

Metanomic was founded in 2021 by veteran game designers, AI experts, and professional economists, and has successfully secured USD $2.9 million pre-seed funding to-date. Thunderstruck is launching with 7 player types – Killers, Achievers, Explorers, Socialisers, Speedsters, Conquerors, and Scientists – which can be tailored to the priorities of individual game titles. Player types will be refined and added to as the platform analyses data from more titles, while its Bayesian AI means Thunderstruck can even identify the series of events that lead to specific player actions.

Announcing the launch of Thunderstruck, Theo Priestley, CEO and Founder of Metanomic, said:

“For too long, game developers have relied on blunt instruments to understand their players. It’s no exaggeration to say that the bulk of the games industry’s framework for player classification dates back to a 1996 essay by Richard Bartle. A generation later, Thunderstruck is the next big leap forward, taking just a few days to generate more insight than a team of analysts could in a month. We understand that players can straddle multiple personas or even change persona based on their motivations, and use custom AI and live data to accurately anticipate how they’ll respond to metagame changes. Thunderstruck is all about empowering game developers with a better way to identify, acquire, and impact the right players for their game.”

Thunderstruck is equally suitable for mobile, console, and PC; existing as well as new games; and web3 as well as traditional web2 games. It works in tandem with Metanomic’s free Economy Engine platform, which was launched earlier this year to help studios to build, simulate and monitor their game economies.

Thunderstruck is launching with 7 player types.

Killers

These players enjoy killing, creating chaos, and competitive elements most of all. They focus on winning, climbing player rankings, obtaining status, provoking, and imposing drama onto others.

Achievers

These players are competitive and enjoy overcoming difficult objectives, whether set by the game or themselves, in order to obtain prestige, prizes, and other types of material possessions.

Explorers

Those that like to learn as much about the game as possible, Explorers seek to understand the finer details of game mechanics. The thrill of discovery and uncovering hidden areas or objectives motivate these players over points or prizes.

Socialisers

Players that experience fun in interacting with other players through social systems like using chat, managing guilds, or role-playing rather than playing the game itself. They tend to collaborate or join forces with others to achieve objectives than they could on their own.

Speedsters

Cheetahs race to objectives in order to be among the first to reach the end-game content or the highest level. They spend most of their time grinding experience and playing for long hours.

Conquerors

Conquerors enjoy the struggle against adversity and beating impossibly difficult odds. They are persistent, forceful, and repetitive in their pursuit to overcome their objectives.

Scientists

Commonly referred to as ‘Crafters,’ Scientists seek to improve their skills by gathering resources and creating or improving items for themselves and to sell to others. They find enjoyment in more passive forms of game mechanics and objectives.

The Thunderstruck player personas are also influenced by ‘passion’ – how often and how well they play.

They can also be tailored by the game developer or publisher depending on their priorities. For example, in different types of game, ‘Achiever’ could mean the highest skilled, the richest, or the players with the most wins.

In future, Metanomic will frequently add additional and more granular player types to further studios’ understanding of their players.

anti-quit challenge

HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

hipther-movement-launches-the-2026-run-challenge-to-help-runners-stay-committed-beyond-january

With the new year in full swing, HIPTHER Movement is kicking off its 2026 season with a fresh twist on its community-powered running challenges. From January 26 to April 5, the HIPTHER Movement: Anti-Quit Running Challenge will push runners to stay active and consistent well past the typical drop-off period in February.

Why This Challenge Matters

Every year, millions of runners lace up in January, but by early February, many resolutions fade. According to global fitness statistics, over 70% of runners abandon their goals before spring.

HIPTHER is taking a different approach — by creating a challenge designed specifically for this dropout window, promoting long-term consistency and fun competition in a supportive, global community.

A Two-Tier Challenge to Make It Fair and Fun

To make things even more exciting and inclusive, the 2026 running challenge introduces two separate leaderboards:

1. Tier 1 – “The Titans”

This is where the top 10 runners from previous editions will battle it out. These are the athletes who consistently top the weekly charts and push the boundaries of mileage. It’s a high-stakes leaderboard for elite-level fun and endurance.

2. Tier 2 – “The Momentum Makers”

The rest of the community – from weekend joggers to returning runners – will compete in their own leaderboard. This tier is about building momentum, staying motivated, and celebrating personal bests – no matter the distance.

“We’ve seen the same five to ten names dominate the top spots, which is amazing – but we wanted to give everyone else a space to thrive, especially newer members or those coming back from injury or burnout,” says Zoltan Tundik, Co-Founder of HIPTHER.

Challenge Period: January 26 – April 5, 2026

Participants can log their runs via Strava and automatically appear in the weekly leaderboard updates published across HIPTHER’s channels.

How to Join

Already a member of the HIPTHER Run Club on Strava? You’re automatically enrolled.
Not yet in the club? Join here – it’s free and open to all.

Weekly Highlights, Spotlights & Prizes

Weekly shout-outs for standout performances
Surprise giveaways for participation, not just podiums
Social media badges & stickers for personal sharing
Featured runners in the HIPTHER Talks Podcast and newsletters

No Dropouts This Time

The mission? To create a habit, not a spike. Runners who complete at least 8 weeks of the challenge will receive a virtual certificate and earn a chance to be featured in HIPTHER’s growing digital health and wellness community.

Don’t Worry, Cyclists: Your Time Comes This Summer

While this first 2026 challenge focuses on running, the HIPTHER Summer Ride-Off Challenge will return in June 2026, covering both road cycling and indoor sessions.

Final Word

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just getting back into running, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. The HIPTHER Movement isn’t just about leaderboards – it’s about consistency, community, and crushing that February slump.

Follow HIPTHER Movement on:

Let’s start strong — and stay strong. See you on the leaderboard!

The post HIPTHER Movement Launches the 2026 Run Challenge to Help Runners Stay Committed Beyond January appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Zoltan Tundik

Online casino brand WinSpirit has received Special Recognition in the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator category at the European iGaming Awards, held on January 19 — a respected industry event celebrating excellence and innovation across the global iGaming sector.

Since launching in 2022, WinSpirit has rapidly gained attention for its dynamic approach to product development, player engagement, and platform growth. The brand blends innovative tools with entertainment-driven experiences, earning recognition from both users and the wider industry.

Over the past year, WinSpirit has introduced interactive formats like WinSpirit Stories and Threads, expanded its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, and continued to invest in smart personalisation features. This has contributed to significant growth across key areas, including retention, session frequency, and VIP activity.

The award adds to the brand’s growing list of accolades, which already includes Rising Star (SBC Awards), Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards), and World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards). WinSpirit also maintains top-tier player ratings across major review platforms, including 4.6/5 on Trustpilot and 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

With this Special Recognition from the European iGaming Awards, WinSpirit further reinforces its position as one of the most innovative and dynamic brands in modern online gaming — driven by rapid evolution and a clear player-first vision.

Casino Industry News

WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

winspirit-receives-special-recognition-as-most-innovative-online-casino-operator

WinSpirit, the rapidly ascending online casino brand, has been awarded Special Recognition as the Most Innovative Online Casino Operator at the prestigious European iGaming Awards. The ceremony, held on January 19 in Barcelona, brought together the global iGaming elite to celebrate excellence, technical evolution, and industry-leading innovation.

Since its market debut in 2022, WinSpirit has carved out a distinct identity by prioritizing dynamic product development and immersive player engagement. This latest recognition highlights the brand’s successful efforts to merge cutting-edge technology with entertainment-driven user experiences.

Redefining Player Interaction

The award specifically acknowledges WinSpirit’s aggressive roadmap over the past twelve months. Key milestones that caught the judges’ attention include:

Interactive Content Formats: The launch of WinSpirit Stories and Threads, which bring a social-media-inspired engagement layer to the gaming platform.
Loyalty Evolution: The expansion of its real-time Gift Shop loyalty system, rewarding players with tangible value in a seamless, instant-access format.
Smart Personalization: Continued investment in AI-driven personalization features that tailor the gaming environment to individual player preferences.

These innovations have driven measurable success for the brand, with WinSpirit reporting significant growth in player retention, session frequency, and activity within its VIP tiers.

A Growing Legacy of Excellence

This Special Recognition is the latest addition to a mounting trophy cabinet for the brand. WinSpirit’s previous accolades include:

Rising Star (SBC Awards)
Voice of the People (Casino Guru Awards)
World’s Best Online Casino (World Casino Awards)

Beyond industry awards, the brand maintains exceptional standing with the players themselves, boasting a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and an 8.9/10 on AskGamblers.

As WinSpirit moves into the remainder of 2026, the company reaffirms its “player-first” vision, positioning itself as a primary driver of the next generation of digital gaming.

The post WinSpirit receives Special Recognition as Most Innovative Online Casino Operator appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.